are indicative only

USAGE SUMMARY

This part of a sentence is correct and can be used in written English.
For example: "These results are indicative only, and further testing is needed to confirm the accuracy."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

The regional names in the figure are indicative only – refer to Fig. 8.

Journal of Applied Volcanology

Participants' responses to interview questions are indicative only of their own experiences and understandings.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Although these predictions are indicative only, the value of predictions in various target classes and therapeutic areas would be very useful for future experimental studies.

Chemistry Central Journal

Because the amount of attenuation due to the earplugs tended to differ from subject to subject, the shown levels are indicative only.

Cerebral Cortex

The drug costs we have calculated are indicative only, as they will depend on the actual drug and dose chosen and may vary over time and between organisations due to locally negotiated prices.

BMC Public Health

While care was taken to recruit a range of organisations offering a variety of services to a cross-section of disadvantaged individuals, as a result of our sampling approach our findings are indicative only of the opinions of disadvantaged smokers who access community social services.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Without such correction, the in vitro permeability coefficient of lipophilic molecules would be indicative only of the property of water.

European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

No-one claims, by the way, that these numbers are accurate down to the last dollar - they're indicative only.

BBC

Nonetheless, their difference is not significant and it can consequently be concluded that, within the particle sizes used in this study (62 420 μm), the effect of particle size on mineral carbonation reactions is negligible and is indicative only of the viable working range.

International Journal of Industrial Chemistry

This estimate is intended to be indicative only.

British Journal of Cancer

A2: The number of years needed for achieving different university degrees as given in the specification is indicative only.

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are indicative only" to appropriately qualify preliminary findings, estimates, or data points to acknowledge their limitations.

Common error

Avoid presenting information that "are indicative only" as definitive or conclusive. Always acknowledge the limitations and suggest further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are indicative only" functions as a qualifier, limiting the strength of a statement or finding. It suggests something provides a signal or sign but isn't definitive. As Ludwig AI explains, it means that further information or steps are needed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

71%

News & Media

21%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are indicative only" serves as a qualifier, employed to express caution and highlight the preliminary nature of information. Predominantly found in scientific and news contexts, it signals that presented data suggests trends but doesn't offer conclusive evidence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. When using this phrase, it's vital to clarify the limitations and suggest avenues for further investigation to avoid potential misinterpretations. Consider related alternatives like "are merely suggestive" for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are merely suggestive

Replaces "indicative" with "suggestive" and "only" with "merely", focusing on the tentative nature of the information.

are just pointers

Uses the metaphor of "pointers" to indicate that the information is a guide rather than a conclusive answer.

are simply signs

Replaces "indicative" with "signs" and "only" with "simply", emphasizing the basic signal provided by the information.

offer only a hint

Highlights the subtle nature of the information, presenting it as a "hint".

provide a rough idea

Focuses on the approximate nature of the information, suggesting a general understanding rather than precise details.

give a limited view

Emphasizes the restricted scope of the information, suggesting that it doesn't provide a complete picture.

act as a partial guide

Presents the information as a "guide", but with the qualification that it is "partial".

should be taken as signals

Replaces "indicative" with "signals" and adds a note of caution that they "should be taken as".

serve as rough indicators

Highlights the approximate and guiding nature of the information by using "rough indicators".

are not conclusive evidence

Directly states the non-definitive nature of the information, emphasizing that it is not proof.

FAQs

How can I use "are indicative only" in a sentence?

Use "are indicative only" to qualify data, trends, or results that suggest a certain outcome but are not definitive. For example, "These preliminary results "are indicative only", and further research is required."

What phrases can I use instead of "are indicative only"?

Alternatives include "are merely suggestive", "are just pointers", or "offer only a hint" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "are indicative only" or "are conclusive"?

The choice depends on the data's strength. "Are indicative only" implies preliminary evidence, while "are conclusive" suggests definitive proof. Use "are indicative only" when the data requires further validation.

What does "are indicative only" mean in research?

In research, "are indicative only" means that the findings suggest a trend or relationship but do not provide definitive proof due to limitations such as sample size, methodology, or scope. More studies are typically needed.